Sedex Announces Three 2024 Product Releases to Empower Supply Chain Sustainability
Central to these releases is the highly anticipated update to the SMETA audit, now advancing to its seventh core iteration.
We’re excited to announce three product releases coming soon to Sedex members!
- SMETA 7.0
- Environment SAQ
- Service Provider SAQ
These data-driven tools empower our members to meet evolving environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges through enabling greater supply chain visibility, compliance with sustainability-related laws and ESG performance management.
As companies around the world strive to balance immediate operational pressures with increasing sustainability demands from lawmakers, investors and consumers, building detailed visibility of supply chain activities has never been more crucial.
Our major 2024 product releases comprise the SMETA 7.0 update, the introduction of an environment-focused supplier Self-Assessment Questionnaire, and a significantly enhanced Service Provider Self-Assessment Questionnaire.
SMETA 7.0
The SMETA audit has long been recognised for its in-depth, site-level assessment of sustainable practices across global supply chains.
We’re updating the SMETA methodology through a multi-year project culminating in a 2024 release. This aims to deliver a more focused assessment, helping to identify harder-to-detect issues at supply chain worksites, uncover root causes and drive collaborative resolution.
Key enhancements for SMETA 7.0 include:
- Workplace Requirements: Clearer compliance paths for better adherence to sustainability standards.
- Collaborative Action Required findings: For extended, joint resolution on complex issues.
- Management Systems Assessment: A comprehensive approach to pinpoint and manage potential supply chain ESG risks more effectively.
Discover the full benefits of SMETA 7.0.
Environment Self-Assessment Questionnaire (ESAQ)
The ESAQ significantly expands Sedex’s environmental data capabilities, enabling businesses to collect, share and analyse critical environmental data through the integrated Sedex Platform.
The ESAQ focuses on key environmental metrics, such as water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and waste management. This tool helps businesses gain more visibility, identify areas for improvement, align with global regulations and progress towards their sustainability goals.
Read more about the value of supplier environmental data.
Service Provider Self-Assessment Questionnaire
Tailored for service providers businesses in supply chains, this SAQ addresses unique risks and compliance needs specific to sectors such as logistics, security, and waste management.
By focusing on factors like location, work type, and company size, this tool enhances transparency, data analysis and decision-making to drive ethical standards.
Learn more about assessing service providers.
“These releases underscore our commitment to empowering sustainable supply chains. By expanding our solutions for comprehensive supply chain ESG risk management and globally scalable, site-level visibility, we enable companies to enhance their operational efficiency, compliance readiness and supply chain resilience.
“Our latest advancements provide more in-depth ESG data, streamlined analysis and actionable insights across social and environmental areas – supporting our customers to respond to multiple sustainability-related demands through data-led decision-making.”
Jon Hancock, CEO, Sedex
All three product releases are launching to Sedex customers in the next three months. Look out for updates and more information from the Sedex team!